NEWS

Healthcare real estate development has undergone a quiet but profound shift in recent years. The days of thinking exclusively in terms of large, single-site hospitals are behind us as health systems increasingly embrace decentralized, community-based outpatient facilities like urgent cares, freestanding emergency departments and multispecialty medical office buildings. The key driver behind this shift is clear: access. Patients want healthcare that is closer to home and better aligned with their expectations for convenience and service. But healthcare providers should proceed with caution. With the right strategy, they can meet community needs while also creating a natural gateway into their broader network of care for the more profitable higher acuity services and procedures. Another defining change has been flexibility. Five years ago, most projects were designed with a specific purpose in mind. Now, clients are seeking to build adaptable spaces that can shift with community growth/demand as well as technology. A [...]

In today’s evolving healthcare environment, strong partnerships are more essential than ever. Health systems are expected to increase access, improve outcomes and remain financially stable, all while navigating rising costs, lower reimbursement rates, staffing challenges and shifting patient expectations. Meeting these demands alone is increasingly challenging. That’s where healthcare real estate partnerships can add significant value. When healthcare real estate developers collaborate with health systems across the country, the result is outpatient facilities that align with long-term strategic goals and bring world-class care closer to home. One example of a successful partnership is illustrated by the recent opening of the OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center at Norman Regional, a 48,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility that will deliver comprehensive cancer care to patients throughout southern Oklahoma. This project, a collaboration between Bremner Healthcare Real Estate, the Norman Regional Health System and OU Health, represents a shared commitment to advancing care and access in [...]

We’re proud to share that Bremner Healthcare Real Estate has been ranked No. 9 on Modern Healthcare’s 2025 list of Top Development Firms — up from No. 12 last year! This serves as a testament to the trust our partners place in us and the quality of the facilities we deliver. From outpatient centers to specialty hospitals and everything in between, we’re committed to delivering thoughtfully designed, strategically located facilities that support better care and stronger communities. Thank you to Modern Healthcare for the honor, and to our team, clients and collaborators for helping us achieve this recognition. Read more here: Healthcare construction grows despite financial pressures Matt Bremner: Partnerships are a powerful tool in modern healthcare In today’s evolving healthcare environment, strong partnerships are more essential than ever. Health systems are expected to increase access, improve outcomes and remain financially stable, all while navigating rising costs, lower reimbursement rates, staffing [...]

Norman Regional Health System and OU Health join to provide high-quality, research-driven cancer care NORMAN, Okla. – Indianapolis-based Bremner Healthcare Real Estate celebrated a new state-of-the-art cancer center it has developed. The OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center at Norman Regional will serve patients from Norman Regional Health System and OU Health. The partnership is a powerful step toward enhancing healthcare services for patients in Norman and across southern Oklahoma.  “We are proud to continue our strong partnership with Norman Regional and OU Health through the development of this amazing facility,” said Kevin Knue, Senior Vice President and Partner at Bremner. “The OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center represents a shared commitment to delivering world-class cancer care close to home in the most comfortable environment possible.  We are honored to contribute to a project that will make a lasting impact on patients and families throughout the state of Oklahoma.”  The OU Health [...]

Facing constant reductions in payor reimbursement rates, regional and community health care systems actively seek ways to improve margins and enhance their effectiveness. To achieve this, hospitals are thinking lean: less cost, fewer employees and less cumbersome processes.  At the same time, health care providers are working toward enhancing the overall patient experience, ease of access, meaningful outcomes and greater market share. With this perspective in mind, an increasing number of health systems are expanding their footprint and geographic reach utilizing creative ambulatory strategies that increasingly focus on deploying the right facilities in strategic locations. In the current competitive health care landscape, many of the larger players have found that smaller, more efficient facilities located closer to the populations they are looking to serve that incorporate a branded appearance and programmatic design will quickly build brand awareness with the consumer and provide speed to market resulting in increased market share.  [...]

By Jeff Behm, Senior Vice President of Investments at Bremner Healthcare Real Estate Over the last several years, healthcare real estate has arguably been the preferred asset class for real estate investors. As a broker and advisor for health systems and investors, I’ve observed several trends that are shaping the industry’s trajectory. 1. Investment sales volume expected to increase in 2025 After record-low activity in 2023, investment sale volume increased slightly in 2024 as interest rate and cap rates stabilized, with core plus and value add profiles being the most active. As investors diversify away from the less-favored sectors like traditional office, many have pursued healthcare real estate opportunities given its population and demographic tailwinds and less-cyclical nature. This also holds true for foreign investors. This influx of investment capital, combined with pricing stability, should serve to reduce the bid-ask gap and allow for meaningful price discovery and increase transaction [...]

At the intersection of healthcare and real estate, the landscape appears both promising and challenging for stakeholders in the industry. While the demand for healthcare services continues to rise, hospital systems face the financial strain of escalating labor and material costs, which have surged by 35% to 40% over an unprecedentedly short amount of time, along with additional increased operational expenses. Traditionally, hospitals have relied on internal funding mechanisms. However, many hospital systems are now exploring alternative avenues, such as partnerships and collaborations with nonprofit entities and universities. In a feature article for REJournals, Matt Bremner, President and Managing Partner, explains that a relationship-oriented approach to healthcare real estate may be more important than ever due to evolving industry trends.  To read the story, visit https://rejournals.com/the-headwinds-facing-healthcare-real-estate-require-a-nimble-innovative-response/

The successful replacement of an aging health care facility requires thoughtful answers to two questions: Where should it be located, and how do you continue to provide care to those affected by a change in location? On their face, these questions sound simple enough. However, those who work in the health care development space know that simple questions often pair with complicated answers. In a feature article for Inside Indiana Business, Kevin Knue, Senior Vice President of Development & Partner, explains the success of Bremner Real Estate’s development of Norman Regional Nine, a freestanding emergency department designed to meet the health care needs of a growing community adjacent to the University of Oklahoma. To read the story, visit https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/articles/freestanding-eds-promote-innovation-into-health-care.